NEW ROCHELLE, NY – On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, the Iona College men's soccer team put together an all-around effort with a 3-1 win at home against Fairleigh Dickinson. The different players scored goals and sophomore Giuliano Santucci made eight saves, including one on a Knight penalty kick, in his first action with the Maroon & Gold.

Sophomore Tomas Jamett started the game and played just 27 minutes, but he made to make the most of it. The Santiago, Chili native scored his first collegiate goal in the 14' off a corner kick that was delivered into the box by rookie Mauro Bravo. Jamett successfully leaped into the air and tapped a touch inside the right post.

Bravo scored his second goal of the season, and eventual game-winner, in the 23'. Much like in the season-opener against LIU Brooklyn, the rookie struck a free kick with deadly precision. It bounced off the crossbar directly down and ricocheted off the FDU goalkeeper into the net.

The Knights scored their lone goal in the 32'. Following an Iona foul in a dangerous position, Daniel Lasarte pushed a cross on a free kick toward Wojciech Powowarzyk who flicked it by the Santucci for his first of the season.

Iona got an insurance goal off a cluster in the midfield midway through the second half with senior Samuel Saenz scoring his first career goal in the 58'. Graduate Claude Diesse fed a pass across midfield that Saenz took forward and eventually chipped in over the charging keeper from 16 yards out.

The momentum and confidence for the Maroon & Gold grew and remained strong early on in the contest in the 16'. Fairleigh Dickinson was fouled in the box and Ahu Obhakhan stepped up to the dot looking to tie the game just minutes after Jamett had given the Gaels the edge. Santucci wasn't having it however as he dove to the left side, stopped the shot, and controlled the rebound.

The Knights did have an opponent-high 24 shots and nine shots on goal. Iona's defense was up to the task and had its own offensive prowess. The Gaels tied a season-best with three goals scoring and 10 shots on goal. Santucci's eight saves in net is the highest total thus far this season.

Senior Killian Colombie and freshman Esad Mackic both started the contest had combined for four shots and three attempts on goal. Rookie Najim Romero came off the bench and supplied some dangerous speed and ended with four shots, one of which was on goal.

The Gaels host the Sacred Heart Pioneers on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 3:00 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN+.

Be sure to follow Iona College athletics and men's soccer on all social media platforms:
ICGaels: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (Email Updates)
Iona Men's Soccer: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (Email Updates)

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